Time to talk solar curtailment
It’s time to assess curtailment, as rising amounts of excess generation are being wasted in several markets. This can be problematic for the solar industry but Toby Couture and David Jacobs, coordinators of think tank Global Solar PV Brain Trust, argue that curtailment is not always bad.
How to speed interconnection studies
Automation of interconnection study processes is already underway and has room to grow, said executives from Pearl Street Technologies and Nira Energy on an industry panel. Other panelists discussed developing the engineering workforce.
Sunrise brief: Looking to Texas as model of speedy interconnection
Also on the rise: UL Solutions introduces new testing protocol for residential battery storage systems. Trina Solar begins mass production of 430-455 W full-black modules. And more.
Experts consider speedy utility-scale interconnection in Texas going nationwide
Some experts shared data to back up their praise for the “connect and manage” approach used by Texas grid operator ERCOT, while others speaking on an industry panel explained their reservations.
Rutgers University studies co-locating solar energy with crop production
The university is working with SolarEdge to study the practices of agrivoltaics, or co-located solar and farming.
In case you missed it: Five big solar stories in the news this week
pv magazine USA spotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
Sunrise brief: New platform vets residential solar salespeople
Also on the rise: Siting solar projects for best environmental results. Top solar panel brands in reliability, quality, and performance. And more.
Maine may design a distribution system operator to advance distributed energy resources
Maine has hired a consulting firm to evaluate whether forming a distribution system operator could speed deployment of distributed energy resources and support other state goals. Consultants are reviewing how the approach is used in five other countries.
Sunrise brief: Utility-scale solar far less costly than the cheapest fossil fuel source
Also on the rise: Five Puerto Rico reservoirs could host 596 MW of floating solar. Weather-related damage to solar assets exceed modeling expectations by 300%. And more.
Flexible interconnection with curtailed output can benefit everyone, analyst says
Allowing flexible interconnection for large solar projects can reduce costs and speed deployment, benefiting developers, ratepayers and utility staff, said a presenter at a North Carolina conference of utility regulators.
